Beth Morrison's vision for contemporary opera has been years in the making, driven by her frustration with the industry's lack of innovation. After moving to New York City with "limelight ambitions," Morrison earned an MFA in theater management/producing at Yale School of Drama and set up Beth Morrison Productions (BMP) in 2005.
Through BMP, Morrison has been instrumental in launching new works that reflect her commitment to pushing the boundaries of opera. With over 50 productions staged, including Pulitzer Prize winners "Angel's Bone" by Du Yun and Royce Vavrek, and Grammy-nominated titles like "Adoration" and "Trade / Mary Motorhead," Morrison's company has established itself as the country's premier hothouse for new opera.
The Prototype Festival, which kicks off tomorrow, marks a milestone in BMP's 25-year history. Featuring six productions across Brooklyn and Manhattan, the festival showcases Morrison's vision of creating a new kind of opera that blends music, theater, and visual art. Highlights include "Hildegard," an opera by Sarah Kirkland Snider inspired by the life of 12th-century German nun Hildegard of Bingen, which premiered in Los Angeles last year to critical acclaim.
Morrison's own excitement about the festival is palpable. She sees it as a chance to raise awareness about the challenges facing arts institutions and to spark conversations about opera's future. With funding from individual donors and grants dwindling, Morrison is scrambling to secure support for her ambitious plans.
In an effort to build partnerships and create new commissions, Morrison is announcing thirteen initiatives over the next five years, which will include collaborations with major institutions and artists. The Prototype Festival marks a turning point in this campaign, as Morrison's team navigates the changing landscape of arts funding and seeks to redefine opera for the 21st century.
At the heart of Morrison's vision is a sense of collaboration and experimentation, driven by her passion for creating something new and innovative. For fans, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate β including the "BMP: Songbook Concert and Celebration," which will feature some of the company's greatest hits, as well as the world premiere of Jens Ibsen's choral work "The All Sing: Hwael-RΔd (Whale-Road)." With Morrison at the helm, it's clear that the future of opera is in capable hands.
Through BMP, Morrison has been instrumental in launching new works that reflect her commitment to pushing the boundaries of opera. With over 50 productions staged, including Pulitzer Prize winners "Angel's Bone" by Du Yun and Royce Vavrek, and Grammy-nominated titles like "Adoration" and "Trade / Mary Motorhead," Morrison's company has established itself as the country's premier hothouse for new opera.
The Prototype Festival, which kicks off tomorrow, marks a milestone in BMP's 25-year history. Featuring six productions across Brooklyn and Manhattan, the festival showcases Morrison's vision of creating a new kind of opera that blends music, theater, and visual art. Highlights include "Hildegard," an opera by Sarah Kirkland Snider inspired by the life of 12th-century German nun Hildegard of Bingen, which premiered in Los Angeles last year to critical acclaim.
Morrison's own excitement about the festival is palpable. She sees it as a chance to raise awareness about the challenges facing arts institutions and to spark conversations about opera's future. With funding from individual donors and grants dwindling, Morrison is scrambling to secure support for her ambitious plans.
In an effort to build partnerships and create new commissions, Morrison is announcing thirteen initiatives over the next five years, which will include collaborations with major institutions and artists. The Prototype Festival marks a turning point in this campaign, as Morrison's team navigates the changing landscape of arts funding and seeks to redefine opera for the 21st century.
At the heart of Morrison's vision is a sense of collaboration and experimentation, driven by her passion for creating something new and innovative. For fans, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate β including the "BMP: Songbook Concert and Celebration," which will feature some of the company's greatest hits, as well as the world premiere of Jens Ibsen's choral work "The All Sing: Hwael-RΔd (Whale-Road)." With Morrison at the helm, it's clear that the future of opera is in capable hands.
! I mean, 50+ productions under her belt and still going strong? That's some serious dedication 
. And this Prototype Festival thingy sounds like a game-changer β blending music, theater, and visual art is exactly what opera needs right now 
. Plus, the fact that she's all about collaboration and experimentation is so refreshing 
. We need more people in charge who are willing to shake things up and push boundaries. And can we talk about how impressive it is that she's been able to secure funding for her initiatives? The woman is a total boss 
. Bring on the future of opera, I'm ready! 
! It's about time we shake things up in the opera world and make it more innovative and accessible to a wider audience. I mean, 25 years is a big deal for any arts organization, and I love that she's using this milestone to raise awareness about the challenges facing arts institutions. 
the thing that got me thinking about this whole prototype festival is how Beth Morrison is trying to change the game with this new kind of opera. like, i love seeing artists pushing boundaries and experimenting with new sounds and styles... it's so cool to see what they come up with! but at the same time, it feels a bit scary for those who aren't used to that kinda thing... still, Morrison seems super passionate about it and wants to make sure everyone can be a part of this evolution. 
. And who wouldn't want to attend the "BMP: Songbook Concert and Celebration" with some of her greatest hits? It's clear that Morrison is passionate about creating something new and innovative, and I think we can all get behind that.
, I've been listening to Sarah Kirkland Snider's score nonstop 
. This is exactly what we need - more diversity and creativity in the industry 
and i'm loving the fact that beth is all about collaboration and experimentation - can't wait to see what the future holds for this company 
It's clear that Morrison is dedicated to making opera more accessible and relevant for a new generation, and I think that's really cool. The fact that she's announcing funding initiatives and seeking partnerships shows just how committed she is to this vision 
i've been following beth morrison's work thru bmp and i gotta say she's a total game changer 
anyway back to prototype fest 
i'm lowkey hyped for the "bmp: songbook concert" tho 
and jens ibsen's choral piece sounds 
can't wait to check out the whale-road 
. i'm not saying Morrison isn't doing great work, but sometimes i think there's more to it than meets the eye... 
. With her Prototype Festival, she's giving us a sneak peek into what's to come 